I push for my child to have challenge because I had a very similar experience as Dottie. I almost failed the second year of university, mostly from having absolutely no study skills. I feel strongly that out of all the things that school is supposed to teach children, that is one of the biggest survival lessons for both university and for a work environment.

The problem is that a Gifted child is much less likely to need to learn these skills at a normal school. I try to make sure my sons are challenged enough that they have to pick up part of the study skills, part of the resiliency against failing that most children get, and some of the confidence in their abilities that comes from hard work as opposed to just putting their faith in their intelligence.

So, yes, I think boredom can be detrimental to Gifted kids.